SACRAMENTO, CA (March 23, 2023) Farmworker organizations and advocates are warning against potential scammers who may attempt to defraud farm workers of their much-needed direct relief payments. Reports have surfaced that some scammers are posing as workers of La Cooperativa and other farmworker organizations, and are charging unsuspecting workers a fee to process their $600 direct relief payments.
La Cooperativa and other reputable organizations are providing direct relief payments to eligible farm workers at no cost. These payments are part of the federal government’s efforts to support individuals and families affected by the pandemic as part of the Farm and Food Workers Relief Grant program (FFWR) administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Therefore, no one should be charged for these services.
“We urge all farm workers to be vigilant and cautious of anyone who asks them to pay a fee to receive their direct relief payments,” said Marco Lizarraga, Executive Director of La Cooperativa. “These services are free, and any attempt to charge for them is fraudulent and illegal.”
Farm workers are already facing numerous challenges, including low wages, limited access to healthcare, and the risk of exposure to COVID-19. The last thing they need is to fall victim to scammers and lose their hard-earned money.
If you suspect that you have been targeted by a scammer or have fallen victim to fraud, you should immediately report it to the authorities.
$600 relief payments continue to be distributed, and La Cooperativa member agencies are working tirelessly to ensure that all eligible farm workers receive the funds. To learn more about the payments for farmworkers, please visit: https://lacooperativa.org/
Additional Information on USDA Farm and Food Workers Relief Grant program: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/ffwr
For assistance, contact the following La Cooperativa member agencies serving the various regions of California:
| agencia | condado | numero de telefono |
| Central Valley Opportunity Center | Stanislaus, Merced, Madera | 1-209-356-7176 |
| California Human Development | Lake Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, Solano, Yolo, San Joaquin, Sacramento, Sutter, Yuba, Contra Costra, Butte, Colusa | 1-916-371-8220 |
| PROTEUS | Fresno, Kings, Kern, Tulare and Los Angeles | 1-888-776-9998 |
| CET | Santa Clara, Monterrey, Sacramento, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Diego, Imperial, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, Santa Barbara | 1-800-533-2519 |
| Employers Training Resources | Kern, Inyo, Mono | 1-661-336-6661 |
